Purdue, ISU Strengthen Campus Face Mask Protocols
(photo courtesy of Purdue University)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA growing number of universities are strengthening their mask policies, including Purdue University and Indiana State University. Purdue and ISU say face masks are again required in all indoor spaces for everyone on campus, including students, employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
Last week, the CDC added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission, which includes Tippecanoe County.
“We have a shared duty, part of the Protect Purdue Pledge, not only to preserve a manageable level of infection on campus so that we don’t have to suspend operations and interrupt our students’ education, but also to protect our surrounding community by doing everything we can to lessen the stress on local health care infrastructure, especially hospital capacity,” said Dr. Esteban Ramirez, chief medical officer of the Protect Purdue Health Center.
Purdue says violations of the protocols will be considered violations of the Protect Purdue Pledge and will be subject to disciplinary action.
“Like everyone, we hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us, but our approach must continue to adapt to changing dynamics, just as we’re seeing cities, corporations and other institutions do in recent days,” Ramirez said. “We will continue to monitor very closely local and campus case numbers, vaccine rates, and severity for any indications of concern and will revisit this policy frequently for necessary modifications. In the meantime, vaccines continue to be our best tool in the fight against COVID-19. Everyone who is able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible.”
Purdue says more detailed guidelines for fall 2021 are available at the Protect Purdue website.